As 2015 draws to a close, let’s take a review of Union City and its growth and revitalization.
When this author first began writing this column the city was busy planning – and plan it did. City-wide Garage Sale over Memorial Day Weekend, PAWS held fundraisers and continue to find homes for abandoned dogs and also serve as a reconnection point for those dogs who wander away from their owners. Plans began for the Union City Arts Festival which included celebrating the return reunion of Rick Derringer of “The McCoys” and “Hang On Sloopy” recording. Derringer’s return to his hometown was a wild and fun celebration.
Carol Strock-Wasson opened her Art Gallery, Oak Street Antiques opened, Under the Redbud Antiques opened; the Union City bowling alley was completely renovated and reopened. The art co-op of the Art Hub was an idea and opened in downtown Union City. The Randy Players had several successful melodramas and provided entertainment to many. The Fire House Pipes continues to support the community and offer entertainment/performances on a fantastic theatre organ.
State Line Heritage Days was celebrated once again. This is always a successful venue for all ages. Young artists arrived in town. New artists were discovered and joined the movement. The craftsmanship of woodworking opened new doors for Rick Root, Greg Hufford and a few other artists using the wood from Frank Miller Lumber.
Union City Junior/Senior High School cheerleaders were crowned Indiana State Fair Champions. A new amphitheatre was constructed and continues to be enhanced at the Artisan Park.
Celebrating the downtown on Oct. 10 was Arts and Antiques. The apple butter making continues on the Carpenter Farm outside of Union City. A Community Christmas saw four million lights illuminate Harter Park this year and Christmas Shopping Days and Christmas in the City offered folks an opportunity to shop and celebrate the renewal of Union City.
Union City, Ohio, has a new mayor for 2016, saying goodbye and job well done to Scott Stahl who served the town for many years. Mayor Bryan Conklin will continue as mayor of Union City, Indiana, for another term of office.
As we look into 2016, let’s agree that the ceaseless jousting between light and dark knights, between preservers and destroyers, between givers and takers, can be as relentlessly reenacted in a small town as in a large one. Ending this year with a quote from Reinhold Niebuhr, “Prosperity and Virtue,” in The Irony of American History. “Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith.
Enjoy a Happy New Year and ask “What can I do to help my community?” You might be surprised what a difference one volunteer makes.
